Blakeβs Spring Musical: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Blake Stage Companyβs upcoming musical marks the ever-impressive Natalite Garcia-Ruizβs fourth show directed at Blake. A Blake Alum and Stage Co. veteran, G.R. entered her directorial position last year with tenacity, dedication, and drive. She hit the ground running with a spectacular production of Shrek The Musical which made it boldly clear that a new wind was in Blake Stage Companyβs sails, and that things were going to change thenceforth. One such change is a switch to a more traditional show schedule with a play in the Fall and a musical in the Spring, a transition that has officially started with the announcement of this yearβs Spring Musical: βThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.β
The show centers on the fictional Putnam County Spelling Bee and six eccentric tweenage competitors in their battle for first place:
Chip Tolentino, champion of the 24th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, seeking to defend his title.
William Barfee, a finalist in the 24th bee, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory.
Olive Ostrovsky, a newcomer to competitive spelling. Having found comfort in its words and vastness, Olive made friends with her dictionary at a very young age.
Marcy Park, an over-achiever and the product of a family where excellence is expected. She assumes God, too, expects perfection.
Leaf Coneybear, home-schooled, product of a family that expects very little. The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition by chance and finds everything about it incredibly amusing.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Schwartzy), the youngest and most politically aware speller, she is driven by a desire to win to make her two fathers proud.
The intrepid tweens spell their way through the absurd bee, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Spelling Bee offers a hilarious look into the lives of these six, as well as an equally eclectic trio of grown-up officiators:
Rona Lisa Peretti, a former Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the returning moderator.
Douglas Panch, Vice Principal, returning as judge after five years’ absence due to an βincidentβ at the 20th bee (he claims to be in “a better place” now).
Mitch Mahoney, an ex-convict performing community service with the bee handing out juice boxes to losing students.
Additionally, the show includes a healthy dose of audience participation as audience volunteers are called up to participate in the bee, providing much-appreciated opportunities for improv. Our production will also feature live instrumental music, a novelty for Blake Stage.
A hysterical comedy, Spelling Bee is rife with knee-slappers and side-splitters, and will have you roaring throughout. But underneath its gags and funnyisms, it is a story about perseverance, finding self-esteem, and building connections; thatβs whatβs really being celebrated in this show. Described by Music Theatre International as a βdelightful den of comedic geniusβ and by the New York Times as βeffortlessly endearing,β The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a spectacle in every sense of the word, and Blakeβs production is bound to be one to remember.
Cast announcements and other information can be found on the official Blake Stage Company instagram account: @bhsstageco